Frost Flowers: Delighting In Cold Weather

A Handmaid News

 Recent unusual cold weather was an occasion of delight when the frost flowers appeared. The temperature conditions haven’t been right the last two years to treat us to this delicate and temporary feast for the eyes. A nice explanation of the phenomenon (which is actually rare, happening only once or twice a year) can be found on the National Weather …

Surprise Morning View From the Garden

A Handmaid News, Priests Garden

Shortly after we prayed Lauds and Terce, some Sisters out for exercise enjoyed an unexpected treat watching a hot air balloon near the monastery. The burners could be heard as it descended for a landing nearby.  These largely silent aircraft move quietly with the air currents, a beauty that doesn’t disturb the peace around the pastures and hills. We hope …

God’s Wonderful Rainbows

A Handmaid News

After a recent spate of severe thunderstorms we had a real treat when the sun began to shine again. A gorgeous rainbow! Wherever these optical phenomena appear in the sky, they remain ever the striking and breathtaking reminder that our God is a God of kept promises and purest beauty. We share a few images and ask you to join …

Let It Snow!

A Handmaid News

Winter Snow Storm “Izzy” caused a great deal of havoc across the country from the midwest to the south and east coast. We’ve kept everyone in our prayers. Our location in the Tennessee River Valley shielded us from much of the snowfall. We share just a few photos and (maybe) video clips of falling snow. Depending on exactly where you …

Gaudete! He is Coming!

A Handmaid News, Priests Garden

Rejoice! It’s Gaudete Sunday! We enter the third week of Advent lighting the rose colored candles and renewing our thanksgiving for the Incarnation. He is coming. He is coming to save us. He is coming to be one of us. This gives us all hope and joy, but not for the secular trappings of the coming holidays. It’s not about …

White Christmas! Not So Typical!

A Handmaid HISTORY, HPB Vocations, News

We recently shared a post on what a typical monastery Christmas is like. But what was it really like this year? It was a WHITE CHRISTMAS!!!!!! That’s a shout-able event. Why? Because it was a rare event experienced maybe only once every 10-15 years or more…a White Christmas of 5 to 7 inches of snow that meant no Midnight Mass, …